FC Dallas In Scoreless Draw With Houston
via FC Dallas
FRISCO, Texas – FC Dallas earned its fifth shutout of the season in a 0-0 draw with rival Houston Dynamo Sunday night at Toyota Stadium.
FC Dallas head coach Oscar Pareja was forced to make his first substitution of the match in the 24thminute after Walker Zimmerman was fouled hard by Houston’s Alberth Elis. Atiba Harris entered the match in relief of Dallas’ staring center back.
Three minutes later, Kellyn Acosta, who received a call-up to the U.S. National Team earlier in the day, ripped a free kick chance towards the upper-90. Houston goalkeeper Tyler Deric made a spectacular save, diving high to his left side to slap the ball up and off the crossbar before falling on the rebound.
In the same minute, FC Dallas goalkeeper Jesse Gonzalez made a similar save on Elis at the opposite end of the pitch. The forward tried to beat the Homegrown to the back post, but Gonzalez dove to his left side to push the shot wide of the post.
Michael Barrios set up Cristian Colman perfectly in the 37th minute. The flanker advanced to the end line before cutting a cross back to the feet of Colman. The Paraguayan striker redirected a cheeky shot on goal but Deric read the play well and was in position to punch away the point-blank chance to keep the match scoreless.
Roland Lamah did well to retain possession and Acosta hit a beautiful through ball to Colman in the 44th minute, but Deric charged off his line to disrupt the FC Dallas forward. The challenge put Colman off just enough and the ball skipped too far, over the end line, just before the halftime whistle sent the rivals into the locker room tied, 0-0.
FC Dallas generated several opportunities down the right flank to open the second half. Houston’s Adolfo Machado blocked shot attempts by Acosta and Maxi Urruti while Carlos Gruezo and Lamah had shot attempts sail wide or high prior to the 51st minute. Undeterred, FC Dallas continued to improve on its 55-45 advantage in possession at halftime.
Gonzalez made his first save of the second half in spectacular fashion, stopping a redirection from Mauro Manotas from a few feet away, by kicking out his left leg. The play was created by Houston’s Alex, who entered the match just one minute prior, in the 64th minute.
Mauro Diaz made his first appearance of the season, after suffering a torn Achilles tendon against Seattle on Oct. 16, 2016. Diaz entered the match in the 81st minute in place of Lamah.
The magician earned a set piece for Dallas in the second minute of stoppage-time but Urruti was unable to keep his attempt on frame.
